What happened
On August 19, 2004, at approximately 13:30 UTC, an Alexander Schleicher ASW-20L glider, registration D-6112, was involved in a fatal accident during a winch launch at Asiago Airport, Italy. The flight was a recreational operation involving a single pilot.
Following a brief ground roll, the aircraft began a very steep climb. Witnesses observed the glider pitching up aggressively, followed by a significant drop of the left wing. The aircraft quickly entered an inverted position and plummeted vertically toward the ground from an estimated altitude of 15 to 20 meters. The impact, which primarily struck the nose and the right wing, resulted in the death of the pilot and the near-total destruction of the glider, particularly the cockpit area.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation examined the wreckage, interviewed numerous witnesses—including experienced glider instructors—and reviewed the operational records of both the pilot and the winch system.
Physical evidence at the scene, including a crater formed by the nose impact and a furrow in the ground, confirmed the aircraft's rapid descent. Investigators also noted that the tail skid had encountered soil, suggesting the aircraft may have touched the ground with its tail during the rotation phase. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's experience, noting that while he was a highly experienced pilot with over 1,570 total flight hours, he had very limited experience specifically with winch launches, having performed only four such launches with this particular aircraft prior to the accident.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the incorrect application of winch launch techniques, which led to a left-wing stall during the initial climb phase.
- The stall occurred at an altitude of approximately 15–20 meters, a height too low to allow for any effective recovery maneuvers.
- A contributing factor was the pilot's limited experience with winch-assisted takeoffs.
- The investigation found no issues with the winch equipment, the cable, or the airworthiness of the D-6112.
- Meteorological conditions were favorable, with good visibility and light winds.